The Ponoka FCSS has partnered with the Ponoka Secondary Campus for their 38th year of Santa’s Anonymous.

This is the first year the Ponoka FCSS has helped with Santa’s Anonymous, and they are managing the families in need slightly different this year.

“This year, is the first year that they have forms to fill out and a bit of criteria. We don’t want that to deter anybody from applying. We have lots of volunteers and community members that would be willing to help with those forms,” explained Shannon Boyce-Campbell, Executive director for Ponoka FCSS.

The Ponoka FCSS will conduct an income screening to determine not only if a family is eligible for Santa’s Anonymous but eligible for other services helping struggling families throughout the year.

“It’s all kind of part of a much bigger plan to help our community out in a much bigger way than just simply the package at Christmas,” said Boyce-Campbell.

Boyce-Cambell was concerned that the application process might deter struggling families from applying for Santa’s Anonymous, but overall, eligibility is a simple process to ensure that struggling families receive all the care they need.

“The eligibility is basically that we want to make sure that we’re serving the community that is giving us the donations because a lot of FCSSes, a lot of other community groups also raise funds and donations to serve their people in their community. So, it’s a simple process just of course because we’re delivering it. We need their address and we need some information about kids ages.”

As of December 4th, the Ponoka FCSS has significantly fewer families in need but likely because they haven’t applied yet.

“Right now, we are sitting at 29 hampers. The closing date to apply is December 13th and traditionally, they get about 130-140 hampers. It’s a food hamper as well as gifts for children. So, we really want people to apply,” said Boyce Campbell.

To apply as a family in need, you can reach out to their Santa’s Anonymous Hotline at 403-963-7225 Monday to Friday 10 AM -4 PM, and Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6 PM- 8 PM. The hotline will be open until December 13th.

If you are hoping to donate to Santa’s Anonymous, or sponsor a family you can bring your donations to Ponoka Secondary Campus or contact the school at 403-783-4411.

Lastly, Boyce-Campbell would like to invite the community to a Christmas Dinner on December 25th at the Ponoka Legion from 10 AM-2 PM. Admission is free but food bank donations are encouraged.